Hi All,
My hubby built me a new raised bed for my iris. I have to "import" something to fill it with. My choices are:
TOP SOIL (sandy loam)
DOUBLE MIX (topsoil + compost)
TRIPLE MIX (topsoil + compost + sand)

What would you use?

I don't know which choice is best. The soil I used in my raised beds is described as "sandy soil, composted organic matter and composted manures" and my irises love it.

I'm making new beds, not raised but using as much compost as I can afford. It's very rich however so I would go with the triple mix with the sand to make sure it's not too heavy or compacts easily. I have been planting "high" and will be hilling my iris in my beds to keep them from sinking down, amending the hills with some sand/perlite if I need to. I'm not planting till later though so I have some time to figure out.

I was wondering if many use sand in their iris beds? I have a heavy clay that I like to add compost to, but never have used sand. We can have lots of rain so I try to hill them up a bit above the flat surface to help combat rot.